What is EMDR Therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy approach that helps people process distressing or overwhelming experiences that may continue to affect how they feel, think and respond in the present.
EMDR therapy was developed by American psychologist Dr Francine Shapiro in 1987. She initially noticed that certain eye movements appeared to reduce the intensity of disturbing thoughts and memories. She then developped this observation into a structured psychotherapy approach.
Since then, EMDR therapy has been extensively researched (numerous clinical studies and systematic reviews) and developed.
EMDR therapy is recognised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a treatment for PTSD. It is also used for many other psychological difficulties including anxiety.
How does EMDR therapy work?
More information on EMDR Therapy can be found on EMDR Association UK and EMDR International Association.
EMDR therapy is slightly different to other forms of psychotherapy, as it follows a specific structure, with the therapist guiding you through a number of stages.
These include understanding your current difficulties, exploring how past experiences may have shaped the way you feel today, and making sure you feel ready and supported before beginning the processing work.
EMDR also involves side-to-side eye movements, or alternating gentle tapping, while talking through aspects of a memory or experience. This allows you to pay attention to both the memory and the present moment at the same time.
The aim is to help your brain process experiences that may have felt overwhelming or unresolved, so that the memories and the feelings and beliefs attached to them become less distressing.
As this happens, the feelings and beliefs connected to the experience may begin to shift, helping us respond to the present with greater freedom and less distress.
When might EMDR be helpful?
Sometimes, when an experience feels overwhelming, or we don’t have the support we need at the time, our brain’s natural ability to process experiences can be disrupted. This means the experience may not get the chance to be fully processed.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a major event. It might simply be a moment when we felt alone with something that was too much for us. When this happens, aspects of the experience can remain unresolved, along with the feelings, beliefs and bodily sensations associated with it.
This happens outside our awareness. It isn’t a weakness or a failing.
Later, we might find ourselves reacting to situations more strongly than we expect, or experiencing familiar feelings of fear, anxiety, self-doubt or not being good enough. We may not immediately understand where these feelings come from or why they keep returning.
EMDR may be helpful when past experiences continue to affect how we feel, think and respond in the present. This might include:
- Feeling stuck in familiar patterns of responding to situations or relationships.
- Anxiety or fear that feels difficult to explain.
- Memories or experiences that continue to feel upsetting.
- Strong emotional reactions that seem out of proportion to the situation.
- Recurring feelings of shame, guilt or not being good enough.
- Low self-worth or persistent self-doubt.
- Distressing memories, flashbacks or nightmares.
What to expect from EMDR therapy with me
In our work together, we begin by getting to know you and building a sense of steadiness and support. When you feel ready, we gently turn towards a memory together, using eye movements or tapping while I stay alongside you. We work at a pace that feels manageable, paying attention to how you experience the process.
I offer EMDR therapy both in person at my practice in Earls Colne, near Braintree & Colchester, and online.
Fees
Initial EMDR therapy session (50 minutes) – £65
Subsequent EMDR therapy sessions (50 minutes) – £65
If you would like to explore whether EMDR therapy might be helpful for you, please book a free 15-minute initial consultation.